Barely nine months after the St. Francis’ Catholic Church, Owo in Owo Local Government Area, was attacked by some suspected terrorists, the church would be reopened for worshippers on Easter Sunday, The Punch reports.
No fewer than 41 members of the church were killed while 69 others were injured in the attack which occurred on June 5, 2022.
Since then, nobody has been arrested in connection with the dastardly act.
The state government has commenced the construction of a memorial park in Owo in honour of the victims.
The state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, said the park would be completed by May this year.
The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Jude Arogundade, spoke about the reopening of the church at this year’s Chrism Mass as part of activities to mark Easter celebrations.
According to the cleric, the church had been locked since the attack on worshippers and would be reopened on Sunday.
He said, “Since the unfortunate incident that befell our members at the Saint Francis Cathedral in Owo on June 5, 2022, the church has been closed down for security reasons and as a mark of respect for our fallen brothers and sisters.
“The church shall be opened again for Easter Sunday. The government of Ondo state is as well, planning to commemorate the first anniversary of the massacre in honour of our fallen heroes.”
